The Philadria auction on April 13th witnessed, among other things, an outstanding sale of 1944 Senta items, with all Senta lots surpassing their asking prices. It is gratifying to observe such significant interest among collectors. Here are some notable highlights: Complete set of Small and Big Senta: Asking price €1,800, realized €2,700 (€3,240 with provision). National Liberation Committee's commemorative sheet of type B: Asking price €750, realized €1,600 (€1,920 with provision). Trial print of the entire row (10x1): Asking price €500, realized €750 (€900 with provision ..read more

After liberation, postage was free for military personnel sending or receiving mail. The Post Office typically overlooked cases where this was not evident. However, occasionally, specimens are found where postage due is charged. Early examples with overprinted postage due stamps are rare. Unfranked letter, sent to Belgrade (13.II.45) where it was censored by Military censor No. 5 and charged a postage due fee of 20 din for inland postage. The place of dispatch is not visible as the postmark is obscured by the stamps. Rere usage of postage due stamps with the 1944 overprint ..read more

Shipments abroad were very rare. Most of them were sent to Bari, where a division of the Yugoslav Army was stationed. So far, I have come across only three letters destined for the USA, one of which is registered. This letter is truly remarkable — it was sent from a small island near Šibenik, correctly franked for foreign postage, double-censored, and bears three transit and arrival cancellations. 1945 Split provisional issue, registered letter franked with 70kn (40kn foreign letter rate, 30kn registration fee) sent from Prvić Luka, island Prvić, (20.06.45) to San Pedro, California, USA (11 ..read more

I wish you a happy New Year with rare finds, valuable acquisitions, and endless philatelic adventures ..read more

Zagreb provisional issue was valid for only 6 days, from 25.06.1945 to 30.06.1945. Postage items are very scarce and are sent mainly from Zagreb. Only a few are known to have been shipped from other locations. 1945 Zagreb provisional issue, letter sent from Slavonski Brod (??.VI.45) to Belišće (18.VII.1945) via Našice (10.VII.1945), correctly franked with 80 kn. Extremely rare use from outside of Zagreb. Certificate Ercegović. Note that the old company name was crossed out and the new one "Slavonija d.d. Slav. Brod" was applied with a rubber stamp.   ..read more

In the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, there existed specific circumstances under which letters could be sent at a reduced tariff: Unsealed envelopes were eligible for shipment at the stationery tariff. Small envelopes carrying concise messages (such as business cards or greetings) qualified for postage at the rate applicable to stationery or printed matter, depending on whichever was more cost-effective. Although these regulations were not formally enforced in 1945, a few preserved items indicate that such practices persisted. 1945 Split provisional issue, small format letter franked with 10 k ..read more

I am pleased to share that at the philatelic exhibition, Thailand 2023 World Stamp Championship, the manual "Local Issues of Independent State of Croatia" was awarded the Large Vermeil medal. I extend my gratitude to everyone who contributed in any capacity to the publication of the manual, especially those who ordered a printed copy or contributed through donations. If you haven't received the manual yet, you can obtain the digital version for free... The Philatelic Manual Local Issues of Independent State of Croatia Međimurje • Banja Luka • Šibenik I & II • Dalmatia Aleš Marinšek 2020 ..read more

The Podlipa auxiliary office of the Vrhnika post office used two different postmarks during the period I am collecting. Both are two-line rectangular postmarks. The first is a bit smaller and originates from the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, measuring 58.1 x 13.2 mm, while the second appeared during the German occupation, measuring 59.5 x 16.5 mm. There is no information on why the postmarks were changed, but the first was likely damaged or lost. Interestingly, the second postmark stands out with two large five-pointed stars, which is unusual given their association with the Partisans.  The usag ..read more

"Small Petar" stationery overprinted with the 1945 Split provisional overprint is among the rarest of postal items of all 1945 provisional issues in the territory of former Yugoslavia. Only five used and two unused are known, so Croatian philatelists call it Croatian "Blue Mauritius". 1945 Split provisional issue, "Small Petar" stationery, sent from Split (21.VI.45) to Zagreb. Censor cancellation No. 3, Split. One of the five known "Small Petar" stationery. Ex Muller. Certificate Vilfan, Zrinjšćak. 1945 Split provisional issue, unused "Small Petar" stationery ..read more

The Zagreb provisional issue was valid until July 1, 1945. However, usage was tolerated for the official needs of local and state institutions until their stock ran out. That happened sometime in the middle of July. Postage between official institutions was free of charge; only special handling was paid for. 1945 Zagreb provisional issue, express letter sent to the City National Committee locally in Zagreb (10.VII.45), franked with 160 kn for the express delivery. Late usage. Certificate Zrinjšćak.   Back side of the cover with the arriving cancellation (12.VII.45). Note ..read more